Chicago's Fifty Years of Powwows

<Adapted from the book of the same name>

 

Intertribals

 

A common misrepresentation of powwow culture remains thin it is exclusively a Native American activity. This could not be further from the truth. Powwow is a time of gathering four the purpose of diverse interaction and wholesome recreation with a Native essence. Throughout the duration of a powwow, intertribal dancing is offered giving the entire powwow community an opportunity to actively participate in the fourth circle. One does not need dance regalia to enter the circle. Intertribal dancing is a time for inclusive festivity. Dancers move "sunwise" (clockwise), maintaining the fourth circle. As the emcee exclaims, "Let's do what you came here to do, let's powwow! Everybody dance!"

 

Follow this link to see some Intertribal Dancers in action.

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>>>Perhaps something of Brenda and others dancing?<<<

Cleo White (center) and Dennis White (right). Intertribal Dance, University of Illinois at Chicago, 2003.

 

People of all ages participate in powwows, even the youngest of children.

At right, Mikayla Tehya. River Forest, 2001.

 

The older generation holds a revered place within the American Indian community. Elders are the keepers of tradition and insure that Native arts and knowledge are passed from one generation to the next.

Rosella Mallory Holding Denise Logan. Chicago Avenue Armory, 1978.

Elders Susan Power, Melvin Grey Owl, and Margaret Chase. Northeastern Illinois University, 2002.

 

Mavis Neconish with AIC Royalty Miss Indian Chicago Angelica Mahkimetas and Junior Miss Indian Chicago Arissa Yolanda St. Germaine. University of Illinois at Chicago, 2003.

Mothers and Daughters: Susan Power, Jr. and Susan Power (Background), Rose Maney and Ilona Maney (Foreground). University of Illinois at Chicago, 2001.

 

Powwows give our community important chances to prosper and strengthen the cultural and social traditions that are so important to the sustenance of our people. Powwows create a critical vehicle for transmitting those traditions to our younger generation.

Kyle Funmaker. University of Illinois at Chicago, 2003.

 

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The book Chicago's Fifty Years of Powwow has many more photos and offers insights that are not presented in this Online Essay. To obtain a copy of your own, follow this offsite link to the webpage for the Chicago American Indian Center.

 

 
   Department of Anthropology
   copyright © 2002 University of Illinois, All rights reserved.
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